19 February 2017

Under Construction

In a private FaceBook group I am in, led by a friend of mine who is a Stampin' Up demonstrator in Texas, one of the members told of us of a friend of hers whose very young son has Spina Bifida Occulta and is undergoing a serious of surgeries (32 already by age 4!). She has been sending him cards to lift his spirits and asked us for ideas to help her. One of the other members suggested we make him cards. And so.. for a young boy who is undergoing surgeries to correct the issues with his back, I wanted to use the Nailed It bundle I recently bought and then the idea of "Under Construction" popped into my head because he is, well, under construction, or at least his back is.

Supplies

Putting It Together

For this project, I wanted to use a metal panel and metal for the tools. The pictures came out a lot darker than I intended. I hope it's not too hard to see.

You can find aluminum foil tape at most hardware stores. It's usually used to seal duct work and other places that might get hot. But, this tape can also be used in crafting. The tape has a strong adhesive on one side. I can cut strips the length of the card panel. Then I peeled back the release paper and..

Using the Misti, I adhered the first tape segment to the centre of the value cardstock panel. I added two more strips to either side to cover the panel.

Using a bone folder, I smoothed the tape to the panel. I folded the overage to the back and smoothed it down.

The resulting panel is smooth aluminum with 2 seams. The seams are hardly unnoticeable when the panel is embossed.

I used the new Hexagons dynamic folder from Stampin' Up. The impression from this folder are very deep. The folder is also thicker than most, so you will need to adjust the usual sandwich.

Using Vintaj Patina Inks, I 'grunged' up the aluminum. I dribbled patina ink on and then rubbed it around and off with a cloth so most would stay in the grooves.

I covered a narrow strip of scrap (same paper as the panel) with the aluminum tape and die cut the tools. To position the stamp details, I decided to use my Misti and a tip from, I think, Jennifer McGuire.

With the die cuts out of the strip, I fit the stamps in place. Closing the Misti door, the stamps stick to the door. (Tip: If you use the plastic stickers on the Stampin' Up stamps, they don't always want to stick to the acrylic blocks or Misti door. You can help them along with a bit of removable adhesive or, sometime just wetting them with a baby wipe will help.) I stamped the metal part of the tools with Stazon Midnight Blue and set them aside to dry.

I also stamped and die cut some Not Quite Navy with the tool stamps using VersaMagic Wheat. I used the chalk ink because I wanted a softer look. I trimmed away the areas that would be metal and glued the blue handles to the metal tools with Multi-Medium Matte. I added Liquid Pearls Onyx to the saw for the rivets holding the handle to the blade.

When I got the idea for construction tape, I realised I had no stamps that would work for it. I went online and found free clip art. I used Photoshop to resize it and extend it. I printed it on regular printer paper and vellum. On vellum it looks more like the plastic-y tape used on construction sites.

I did a dry fit layout with both the vellum..

... and paper before deciding I liked the vellum better.

Like adding ribbon, I anchored the construction tape on the back of the panel but left it loose on the front. To give a bit of dimension to the tools, I added foam mounting tape to them.

I adhered a panel to the back of the decorated panel so I could add it to the easel base later.

I stamped the inside with two stamps. I recently got the Courage with ribbon stamp. I looked up the colours used for the ribbon, finding the Spina Bifida Association, a US national organisation for Spina Bifida. The colours are dark blue and teal.

I decided to have a second stamping because Mason is not just his condition, he is a person who needs to be loved as he is. Across the bottom of the inside of the card, I used another die from the set, one which just does and impression cut of a ruler's lines. The "beyond measure" also ties to that.

I added a screw and bolt top from the Stampin' Up Urban Underground embellishments for a dimensional stopper for the easel. I set them so the stand up would show the ribbon and the second sentiment. On second thoughts, I should have stamped the ribbon block a bit lower on the card to have the courage show as well. When setting where the easel is going to stand you can't have it too far back or it will flop over and not stand right.

WOW! If someone told me that construction tape could look awesome, I don't know that I would've believed them! But you have proven that anything can look amazing in the right hands! I absolutely adore what you've done here. This is masculine, but also really cool and realistic with all the metallic touches and textures that you pulled in. This is inspiring and macho all at once! I was inspired by your card and inspired by the cause. I'm sure that your card will do much to lift the spirits of the little boy who's struggling. My heart goes out to him and I'm grateful for you and so many others who contribute their talents to help ease another's burdens. You did a remarkable job and I'm so glad you shared such a touching post and wonderful card with us for this week's Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge!

What a wonderful cause and fabulous card. Never knew that construction tape could look that good .. brilliant technique! Love everything you have done here and I know the recipient will treasure this card. Thank you for joining us at Crafty Cardmakers. x